Method and apparatus for making flexible metal lined tubes



April 13 1926.

C. PALMER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE METAL LINED TUBES Original Filed May 5. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13 1926.

C. PALMER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE METAL LINED TUBES original Filed May :5. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEL,

CHARLES PALMER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FEDERAL METAL HOSE CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

L IETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FLEXIBLE METAL LINED TUBES.

Original application filed May 3, 1923, Serial No. 636,441. Divided and this application filed March 7,

1924. Serial No. 697,665. e

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES PALMER, a citizen of the United States, residmg at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods and Apparatus for Making Flexible Metal Lined Tubes, of

which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a new method and apparatus which produces a flexible metal tube or hose having a lining forming a smooth bore in the same.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of a flexible metal tube or hose of comparatively small diameter which is made on the apparatus embodying my invention. Figure 2 is a cross section of the same. Figure is a fragmentary longitudinal section showing a tube of larger diameter contain Figure 11 is a perspective view of the strip from which the lining is made. Figure 12 is a sectional view showing the manner of profiling the lining strip preparatory to assembling the same with the sheathing strip. Figures 13, 14 and 15 are fragmentary sectional views showing successive stages in the operation of assembling the sheathing and lining strips and interlocking the same info a completed tube. Figure 16 is a front elevation of an apparatus of my invention adapted for producing the flexible metal tube with smooth bore lining. Figure 17 is a front elevation of that part of the apparatus which profiles the lining strip before the same is assembled with the sheathing. Figure 18 is a longitudinal section of the same.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 636,441 filed May 3, 1923.

m in im rovements. F i ure 4' is a fra b b D Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts through the several 5 views.

In its general organization, the sheathing of the flexible metal tube or hose made by. the machine which contains my improvements 1S constructed of a strip so as to form a longitudinal web 13 between 7 them and providing the front edge portion of each convolution with an inwardly projecting hook-shaped-flange 14 which interlocks with, an outwardly-projecting hookshaped flange 15 on therear edge portion of 7 the next preceding convolution of the sheathing strip, as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4. By forming the sheathing strip in which the front hook flange is offset outwardly and the rear hook flange oflset inwardly, the Web .0

on the central part of this strip forms a forwardly facing internal shoulder 16 between these hook fianges.

The lining is constructed from a strip 17 of pliable sheet metal which is wound spi- 0i rally in the same direction as the sheathing, so that each successive convolution of the same overlaps the outer side of the next preceding convolution thereof. The cross section of the lining strip is such that its 00 front edge portion 18 is offset outwardly and the rear edge portion 19 of the same is offset inwardly and between these offset parts the lining strip is provided with a transverse web 20 which connects the offset parts of the strip and produces an. external rearwardly facing shoulder 21 on the same. When the sheathing and lining are assembled, the front portion of each convolution of the lining is arranged between the outward turned book flange of the next forward convolution of the sheathin its rearwardly facing shoulder 21 is adapted to bear a ainst the forwardly facing shoulder of t e corresponding convolution of the sheathing and 106 its rear portion engages with the inwardly Y 10 of pliable. no sheet metal which is wound spirally so that form the sheathing of 05 ofi'set rear portion of the respective sheathing convolution and extends across the groove, recess or gap 22 between the corresponding and the next following convolutions of the sheathing while its rear extremity engages with the inner side of the rear part of the next following lining convolu- .tion, as best shown in Fig. 4.

B this means, a lining is provided which pro uces a practically smooth bore on the in side of the sheathing and renders the same particularly desirable for conducting granuobjectionable on account of weight and thepiling up or lodging of material in the joints or corrugations which decreased the internaldiameter of the tube, preventedfree flow of the material and substantially lengthened the time required to load or discharge a specified amount of material. i The preferred means and method of procedure for manufacturing this lined metal flexible tube in accordance with my invention are as follows:

A strip 10 of pliable sheet metal of a. suit-' able width, as for example that shown in Fig. 7 is first passed between a pair of offsetting profiling rolls 23, 24 the co-operating peripheral surfaces of which are adapted upon engaging opposite sides of the strip blank to offset the two edge portions of the strip relatively to each other and form a longitudinal web 13 which connects the inneropposing parts of these offsets, as shown in Fig. 7. This strip is next passed between two flanging profiling rollers 25, 26, which are constructed and operate to form flanges 27,28 which project in opposite directions on the front and rear longitudinal edges of the strip and are arranged at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 9. This strip is next operated upon by the opposing surfaces of a pair of upsetting profile rollers 29, 30 which are constructed to bend the two flanges 27, 28 slightly inwardly, so as to form oblique angles with'the body of the strip, as shown in Fig. 10.

At the same time that the sheathing strip" is being thus profiled into the preliminary cross sectional shape, the strip of sheet metal 17 is assed between a pair of co-operating offsettmg profiling rolls 31, 32, which operate to bend the lining strip, as shown in Fig.

12, to produce the outwardly offset portion 18 on the front longitudinal edge of this strip which is comparatively narrow and the inwardly offset portion 19 on the rear longitudinal edge of this strip, which front and rear oflset strip portions are connected by the web 20.'

After the sheathing and lining strips have been thus profiled, the same are fed together.

with the sheathing strip on the outer side and the lining strip on thc inner side, to a strips wind spirally around this mandrel and the inwardly turned up-set flange 29 at the front oradvancing longitudinal edge of the sheathing strip to engage with the outrotary mandrel 35 in such manner that these wardly projecting upset flange 30 at the rear or convolution of the sheathing strip and the co-operating flanges of the adjacent overlying parts of the sheathing strip which have just been assembled to be partially set down or pressed closer together between the periphery of the mandrel and an initial setting down roll 36 arranged above the mandrel, whereby the hook formation of the flanges on the sheathing strip is increased or trailing longitudinal edge of the last turn and these flanges are partially interlocked,

as shown in Figs. 13 and 16, and preventedfrom becoming disengaged.

While the co -operating flanges of two sheathing convolutions are being thus partially set down the outwardly offset front portion of the lining strip is arranged on the underside of the outwardly oflset front portion of the corresponding convolution of the sheathing strip, as shown in Fig. 13.

After the partially interlocked hook shaped flanges on adjacent convolutions of the sheathing'strip have been acted on by the mandrel and initial setting down roll, this strip, with its flanges still in the same condition,- descends on one side of the man drel' and these flanges are retained in this position by the first section 37 of a guiding die, as shown in Fig. 16. After leaving the first section of the guiding die, the assembled sheathing and lining strips pass between the periphery of the mandrel and an intermediate setting down roll 38,- as shown in Fig. 16, whereby the setting down of the co-operating flanges of the sheathing strip may either be maintained in the same extent as efi'ected in Fig. 13, or the intermediate setting down roll may be so constructed as to progressively increase the angularity or inward bend of the co-operating flanges of the sheathing strip and also confine the outwardly offset front portion of the respective lining convolution within the corresponding sheathing convolution to a greater extent, as shown in Fig. 14. As the. sheathing and lining strips con tinue their rotary motion with the mandrel, they next pass between the same and the second section 39 of the guiding die and then front standard and alternate with the setthe co-operating flanges of adjacent COI1VO-' ting down rolls. Any desired means may lutions of the sheathing strip are acted upon be employed for rotating the mandrel and aby a final setting down roll 40 between which the setting down rolls co-operating theresembled strips pass, as shown in Fig. 16. As the sheathing stri issues from the upand the periphery of the mandrel the aswith. 10

The result is, that the final setting down roll set profiling rolls and t e lining strip issues completes the closinflg or pressing together from 1ts 0 set profiling rolls the sametoof the hook shaped nges of adjacent congether passbetween the mandrel and the volutions of the sheathing strip and finishes several set-ting down rolls for interlocking the bending ofthese flanges, so that they these strlps and then continuously,'discharg are arranged parallel with, or substantially mg the finished product from the machine. parallel with the axis of the tube, as shown I claim as my invention: in Figs. 1, 4 and 15, whereby these flanges 1. The herelndescribed method of producare'fully interlocked and incapable of being mg a flex ble metaltube having a sheathing separated or unhooked under normal conand a lining, the sheathing consisting of a ditions. x strip of metal which in cross section has two In addition to completing the setting parallel longitudinal body sections, the opdown'of the co-operating hook flanges of posing mner edgesof which are offset from adjacent sheathing convolutions,these flangeach other and connected by a Web and the '5 es are bent or doubled in such manner as outer longitudinal edges of which are proto extend along the inner side of the outvided with hooks Which are reverselybent wardly offset front part of the respective along opposite sides of the respective body lining convolution and thereby interlock sect ons, and the hook on one edge of one the same with the corresponding sheathing convolution interlocking with the hook on convolution, asbest shown in Figs. 4 and the opposite edge of the next convolution, 15. After the final setting down roll has and sa d lining consistingof astrip of metal operated on the assembled sheathing and whlch in cross section has two parallel body lining strips, the same pass between the sections which are off-set and a web connectmandrel and the third or final section 41 ing the inner longitudinal edges of said oifof the guiding die and then leave the manset sections of the lining body, said sheathdrel as finished parts of the lined flexible ing being-first partly formed in cross section metal tubing. and then finished in'cross section and the 'A machine organized for producing the hook on one edge of each convolution inseveral operations above described may be terlocked with the opposite hook of the adconstructed as follows: acent convolution, and said lining being 42 represents the main frame of the maformed in cross section and fed into the chine which may be ofany suitable consheathing strip after the latter is partly struction. On the rear part of this frame formed and before the same 'is finished,

is mounted a standard 43 upon which are whereby said lining is interlocked with said mounted the sheathing strip upsetting rolls sheathing and each convolution of the linin 29, 30, and additional standards of the same, laps with one edge over a part of the adjacharacter being provided for similarly ce'nt convolution of the lining.

mounting the flanging rolls 25, 26 and off- 2. An apparatus for producing a flexible setting rolls 23, 24. These offsetting rolls, metal tube having a sheathing and alining, flangmg rolls and upsetting rolls may be the sheathing conslsting of a strip of metal rotated by power in any suitable manner. which in cross section has two parallel lon- On the rear part of the main frame is also gitudinal body sections, the opposing inner arranged a standard 44 upon which are edges of which are off-set from each other journaled the lining strip offsetting rolls and connected by a web and the outer lon-' 31, 32 which latter may also be turned by gitudinal edges of which are provided with power in any approved manner. hooks which are reversely bent along oppo- 45 represents a standard arranged on the site sides of the re ective body sections, and front part of the main frame and providedthe hook on one e ge of one convolution incentrally with a main horizontal driving terlocking with the hook on the opposite shaft 46 which carries the mandrel 35. The edge of the next convolution, and said lining initial setting down roll 36 is pivotally consisting of a strip of metal which in cross mounted on the upper part of the standard section has two parallel body sections which 45 and cooperates with the top of the manare oH-set and a web connecting the inner drel and the intermediate and final setting longitudinal edges of said off-set sections of down rolls 38 and 40 engage with opposite the lining body and said lining having its sides of the lower part of the mandrel and web engaging the web of the sheathing and are pivotally mounted on the adjacent parts the front longitudinal edge of the lining beof'the front standard 45. The several secing arranged between the body section of tions of the guiding die are mounted on the one convolution and the rear hook on the rear edge of the preceding convolution and the rear longitudinal edge of the lining being arranged between the inner side of the rear body section of the respective sheathing convolution and the rear edge of the preceding lining convolution and also engaging with the inner side of the rear part of the next following convolution of the lining, said apparatus comprising a co-operating pair of rolls which off-set the longitudinal sections of the body of the sheathing relatively to each other so that they are connectcd by a web and also form longitudinal flanges which projectlaterally in opposite directions, hook forming rolls which engage said flanges and bend the same partly into hook for-1n, rolls which bend the lining strip so that its longitudinal edge portions are off-set and connected by a Web, means for feeding the formed lining strip into the partly formed sheathing, and finishing means including finishing rolls which operate on the partly bent sheathing and complete the bend of its hooks so as to interlock the hooks on the opposing edges of adjacent convolutions and lock the convolutions of the lining within the sheathing.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES PALMER. 

